Prospects for the east-west civilizational convergence: confucian tradition democracy in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

This monograph presents a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of traditional Confucian democracy – from the ontological foundations to the case study of its historical and cultural specifics, socio-economic and political dynamics in the Republic of Korea – in the context of realizing prospects for bridging the historically and axiologically conditioned dichotomy of East and West. This monograph also explains to what extent the values, customs and traditions of the Republic Korea are Confucian and discusses how this is relevant to the democratic practice and amazing success of multifaceted modernization in the Republic of Korea. By analyzing an impressive array of scholarly works on the ease or difficulty of integrating Western democracy with a Confucian outlook, the authors examine the prospects for such integration going forward. The monograph outlines po ssibilities for transition countries, like Ukraine, to make use of the experience of the Republic of Korea and other “Confucian Tigers” for a catch-up economi c and political modernization. The monograph is intended for the academic community and all others interested in the impact of Confucianism on contemporary globalization.